Iwasaki Brewing Co., Ltd.

Aiming for wine that enriches everyday life

the birthplace of Koshu,Long-established business in Iwasaki, Katsunuma
飾り
飾り
the birthplace of Koshu,Long-established business in Iwasaki, Katsunuma.

Iwasaki,

the birthplace of

"

Koshu

"

The birthplace of Koshu

,a long-established winemaker in Iwasaki, Katsunuma.

With blessed climate, land and people.

Iwasaki in Iwai district, Katsunuma, where Iwasaki Brewery is located, is the birthplace of "Koshu", a grape variety unique to Japan with a 1,000-year history, and has been producing wine in Japan for 150 years.

The Iwasaki Brewery is founded by 130 grape farmers there who have been developing together for generations, and they always love and support us until today.

We are committed to making wines as "A rainbow connecting nature to people, people to people" with our thoughtfulness for them in order to sustain what we have inherited from our ancestors for the future.

Background
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OUR PHILOSOPHY

'Wine is the rainbow connecting nature to people,
people to people'

Blessed by the heavens, the bounty of the Shuku district

Climate

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Beautiful grapes nurtured by the power of the land

Land

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Bonds with people reflect terroir in wine.

People

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'Honjyo wines' made in the spirit of Zen

Zen

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Aiming for wines like rainbows

Rainbow

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Blessed by its climate, the gift of Iwai district

Blessed by the heavens, the bounty of the Shuku district

The grapes we use are mainly from Iwai area (Iwasaki and Fujii districts) in Katsunuma.
The name "Iwai" is a bright and sunny place name meaning "joyous celebration".
It is one of the best-known brewing regions in Japan where people have been growing grapes for at least 300 years and have been producing wines for 150 years. 

The Iwai is a quite warm production area with plenty of sunshine and in summer, the maximum temperature reaches up to 40℃ during a day. Yet, it drops down nicely due to the cold and strong wind called "Sasago Oroshi", which blows down from Mt Fuji through the evening to the night time.
This wind helps grapes to maintain the appropriate level of acidity so as to grow healthy grapes.

Beautiful grapes nurtured by the power of the land

Beautiful grapes nurtured by the power of the land

Yamanashi Prefecture is surrounded by mountains, with Kofu Basin in the centre, and Katsunuma is located at the eastern side of the basin.
The Iwai area is sited at the eastern end of Katsunuma, on a gentle northwest-facing slope at an altitude of 400 meters.

The clay soils with pebbles provide excellent drainage, aeration and water retention; as a result, it enables to ripen grapes slowly and allow us to harest them at a high level of ripeness.

The fields in the Iwai area near the mountains also have a diverse flora and fauna.

The Bond with people gives a picture of terroir in wine.

Bonds with people reflect terroir in wine.

Iwasaki Brewery has its origin in a cooperative brewing association.
Since the establishment, we have built the strong relationship of trust with local farmers for more than 80 years. And we greatly proud of making wine out of their grapes.
Their understanding and passion for the terroir in Iwai region enriches the taste of our wines.
Therefore, our wines has the flavor of terroir all the more reason to live and root in this place as like the "Pere et Fils" (father and son) in Burgundy, despite Iwasaki Brewing takes negociant-style.

That is why our wine goes well with various ingredients from any seasons and makes the dining with family and friends more enjoyable.

'Honjyo wine' with the spirit of Zen

'Honjyo wines' made in the spirit of Zen

The brand 'Honjyo', which we have stood for since our establishment, is short for "Authentic brewing" in Japanese.
On the 80th anniversary, we took the year as one opportunity to reinterpret what this "Authentic brewing" should be.

This is how we discovered the spirit of Zen.
We focus on overlooking the terroir with the Zen spirit while making wines.
You can see it in the name and design of our product.
Our wines are simple and clear in taste, which leads you to feel a sense of the terroir and a variety of grape.

For wines like a rainbow

Aiming for wines like rainbows

We, as professional winemakers, have great experiences and craftmanship to produce our unique wines by thinking outside the box about the terroir and grape varieties.
At the same time, we actively embrace IoT and technology, and try to make better choices by installing sensors in the vineyards and tanks, and by the research collaborating with the University of Yamanashi, which is also the Japanese branch of ASEV.

In short, our winemaking philosophy is a harmony of tradition and innovation, combining Japanese minimalism, craftsmanship to its opposite, technology.
We hope that our wines give you a taste of the terroir in our beloved Iwai District. Please enjoy the wine with your meal and have a wonderful moment.

Our aim is to create wines that are like a rainbow connecting people with nature and people to people.

Honjyo Wine
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OUR WINES

Honjyo Wine

Our brand "Honjyo Wine," is short for "authentic brewing wine" in Japanese.
We strive to harmonize technology and spirituality, tradition and innovation, nature and culture applying the terroir with the Zen spirit.

Honjyo

Chateau Honjyo

Honjyo Labo

Honjyo Collaboration

Other wines (one bottle, etc.)

Honjyo

HONJYO

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Honjyo

Tranquility, respect, purity and harmony

The wine that all of them (farmers, winemakers and consumers) can enjoy together in harmony and with respect and pure soul.

The clear and simple structure of the wine has a deep nostalgic flavor that anyone can sincerely taste with pleasure.

View Honjyos brand page

Honjyo
Chateau Honjyo

CHATEAU
HONJYO

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Chateau Honjyo

Wabi and Sabi

With the heart of a peasant, accepting it just as it is. The wine with an image of the essence seeping out to the world.
The concept here is to express the terroir and grape varieties as they are and to harmonize with any meal, especially with Japanese cuisine, rather than achieving perfect balance.

View Chateau Honjyo brand page

Chateau Honjyo
Honjyo Lab

HONJYO LAB.

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Honjyo Lab

Basic, development and originality

Honjyo-Labo is the collection of unconventional wines that are free in expression with our sophisticated technique we have been brushing up for years.

We make our wines as if we were traveling inside and outside of ourselves, to seek for something new and special.

View Honjyo Labo brand page

Honjyo Lab
Honjyo Collaboration

HONJYO
COLLABORATION

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Honjyo Collaboration

Once-in-a-Lifetime

“I" exist because "you" exist. The wine created with an imagination grown through encounters and interactions.

We hope that this collection leads you to explore different looks of each wines as you take.

View details Honjyo Collaboration

Honjyo Collaboration
Other wines (one bottle, etc.)

OTHERS

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Other wines (one sho-bottle, etc.)

A wide variety of wines and grape juices

View details Other Wines

Other wines (one bottle, etc.)
Background

ACQUIRE & VISIT

Shop and experience Honjyo Wine

Online Shop (Direct Sales)

Online Shop (Direct Sales)

When you purchase from our online store, we send you wine directly from the winery. Shipping fee will be free in the case of the purchase from minimum 12 bottles of the same size. (Shipping in Japan only)

You can also place your order by FAX or phone call. Please be free to reach us if you have any questions.

TEL:0553-44-0020

FAX:0553-44-2754

View Online Shop

Winery visit
(Tours and Tastings)

You can buy our products directly at the winery.
Depending on the time of year, limited collection may be available.

For those who prefer to taste before the purchase, Wine Tastings are available for a fee.

Winery Tour is available at any time (reservations required).
You could find it fascinating while visiting the historical facilities such as 5,000 liter barrels and the storehouse.

Reservations for Tours

Winery visits (tours and tastings)
Business Partners

Business Partners

Introducing some of Iwasaki Brewery's important business partners, please click the "View" below; (We do not guarantee their deals when you visit us.)
Iwasaki Brewery values the challenge of the future as much as the tradition.
We sincerely welcome new partnerships with those who are willing to actively participate in future initiatives and explore new possibilities.

View about business partners